Michael Kors Collection

Philip Johnson's 1949 Glass House was the starting point for Michael Kors' pre-fall collection. "We were there for a party and I thought, what year was this done that it looks so modern?" the designer explained as he pointed out pieces like a wood-grain-print sheath dress, a three-quarters-sleeve cheetah-print balmacaan, and color-blocked cashmere sweaters loosely inspired by the architect's midcentury masterpiece. Timeless and seasonless are buzzwords for Kors, so a suit with a sleeveless double-breasted jacket and a collarless black trench were also in the mix. "In this economy, women are investment-oriented," he added. If you can't afford to buy art, the designer has the answer: a Jackson Pollock splatter-print dress.